JPH11295321A - Device for supporting specimen container of specimen inspection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a dead space from being generated between the bottom of a specimen container and the tip of a sampling nozzle by retaining the specimen container at a specimen container holder in insertion/extraction direction of the sampling nozzle for the specimen container via an elastic retention means. SOLUTION: A sleeve 43 is fitted into an insertion hole 6a that is provided in a specimen container holder 6 so that it can be freely inserted and extracted. The diameter of the sleeve 43 is slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the insertion hole 6a, at the same time, length in an axis direction is set slightly longer than that of the insertion hole 6a, and an upper end 43A projects upward as compared with an opening edge 6b of the hole 6a. In the sleeve 43, a compression coil spring 44 that has an external diameter being smaller than the internal diameter of the sleeve 43 and at the same time has length being approximately 5/6 the entire length of the sleeve 43 is fitted so that it can be inserted and extracted freely. The bottom part of a specimen container 5 is engaged to the upper end part of the spring 44 for inserting so that it can be freely inserted and extracted, and the upper part of the container 5 is allowed to project from the upper edge of the sleeve 43 even when a specimen 4 is accommodated. The dead space between a tip 33a of a sampling nozzle 33 and the bottom of the container 5 is eliminated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for testing a sample such as blood, which is used in a sample testing apparatus which has a very small amount of a sample, but which can sufficiently perform desired various measurements. The present invention relates to an improvement in a container supporting device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 9, a sample testing apparatus for testing a sample such as blood of a seed type has a sample container 05 for accommodating a sample and loading the sample into the sample testing apparatus.
Is adopted. Sample container 05 loaded in sample analyzer
The sample 01 in the inside is extracted by, for example, a sampling nozzle 033 as an example of an extracting means for inserting and removing the tip 033a into and from the sample container 05, and is conveyed to a predetermined measuring unit. As is well known, various measurements of this sample test apparatus are generally covered by an extremely small sample amount of about 20 μL.

[0003] By the way, a conventional apparatus for supporting a sample container is as follows.
As shown in the figure, a configuration in which the sample container 05 is directly loaded into the insertion hole 02 formed in the sample container holder 06 has been adopted. And the sample container 05 itself is
The loading posture is maintained by the flange 03 provided integrally with the opening edge in such a manner as to be supported by the opening edge 06A of the insertion hole 02.

[0004]

However, it is quite difficult to extract a sample by inserting and removing the conventional sampling nozzle into and from a sample container. First, when examining the above-mentioned conventional sample container supporting apparatus, the amount of the sample to be provided is, by all means, extremely small. Inserting this small amount of sample with the sampling nozzle until it contacts the bottom surface of the sample container when extracting the small amount of sample with the sampling nozzle may impose a collision load on the sampling nozzle and damage the working equipment. there were.

[0005] The reason for this is that, since a commercially available sample container is used, there is inevitably variation in product accuracy. At the same time, the flange 03 provided integrally with the mouth edge allows the insertion hole 0 of the sample container holder 06 to be inserted.
This is because the sample container 05 and the sample container holder 06 are supported by the opening edge 06A of the second and the second opening edge 06A, and a supporting form in which the sample container 05 and the sample container holder 06 are integrally formed.

It is also conceivable that the variation in the product accuracy is absorbed by the automatic control of the descending amount of the sampling nozzle. However, in this case, an extremely small amount of vertical adjustment of the lowermost position of the lowering of the sampling nozzle is inevitably required, which requires very advanced control technology, high-precision design, and development of equipment. Can no longer be offered.

[0007] In consideration of these, the lowest position of the lowering of the sampling nozzle is inevitably taken into consideration.
It had to be stopped slightly above the bottom of the sample container. That is, a dead space D is formed between the bottom of the sample container 05 and the tip 033a of the sampling nozzle 033. As a result, in the final stage of specimen extraction, some specimens will remain at the bottom of the specimen container, making it possible to perform the intended various measurements sufficiently even with the extremely small amount of the intended specimen. There was a problem that technical issues were not achieved well.

An object of the present invention is to prevent dead space from being generated between the bottom of a sample container and the tip of a sampling nozzle.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in a device for testing a sample such as blood, a sample container is attached to a sample container holder along a direction in which a sampling nozzle is inserted into and removed from the sample container. It is held via elastic holding means.

According to this means, since the sample container is held in the sample container holder so as to be elastically movable in the direction of insertion and removal of the sampling nozzle, the tip of the sampling nozzle is positioned at the bottom of the sample container. Contact with
This contact impact is elastically absorbed. Therefore, no collision load is generated on the sampling nozzle, and there is no possibility that the operating device of the sampling nozzle may be damaged. As a result, the tip of the sampling nozzle can be lowered until it comes into contact with the bottom of the sample container, and the so-called dead space D can be eliminated.

Therefore, the present invention has the following effects. The tip of the sampling nozzle can be lowered until it comes into contact with the bottom of the sample container, and the dead space D as in the conventional structure is eliminated. Therefore, even a very small sample of the order of 20 μL can be used. Until the end, you can extract well. As a result, the required sample amount can be reduced to a minimum.

In the present invention, it is preferable that any one of a compression coil spring, an elastic material made of a synthetic resin material, and rubber is used as means for elastically holding the sample container. In particular, a compression coil spring is preferable. In the case of a compression coil spring, the bottom portion of the sample container can be fitted and held at its upper end, so that the sample container can be accurately held with a simple structure, and a commercially available and inexpensive one can be used. It is.

It is desirable to adopt a configuration in which a tubular sleeve is fitted and inserted into the sample container insertion hole so as to be freely inserted and removed. This is because the vertical movement of the sample container caused by the lowering of the sampling nozzle is performed more smoothly, and the collision load on the sampling nozzle can be remarkably reduced.

Further, the elastic holding means includes a compression coil spring, an elastic material made of a synthetic resin material, which is inserted into and removed from a sample container insertion hole formed in the sample container holder.
Alternatively, it is desirably formed of either a rubber and a cylindrical body elastically held by the elastic material and having an inner diameter sufficient to insert and remove the sample container. By elastically holding the cylindrical body fitted with and supporting the sample container in the insertion hole, the so-called cylindrical body and the sample container 5 can be integrated. As a result, as compared with the structure in which the sample container is directly supported by the elastic support means shown in FIG. 1, the relative protrusion amount required with relatively high accuracy with respect to the sample container with respect to the cylindrical body. This is because it is not necessary to determine the elastic repulsive force of the elastic support means, and the structure and design are significantly simplified, and the cost can be reduced.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus for testing a sample such as blood, the sample container supporting device includes a sample container insertion hole formed in a sample container holder for holding a sample container. A cylindrical sleeve inserted and inserted into the sample insertion hole so as to be able to be inserted and withdrawn, and a compression coil spring inserted into the sleeve and fitted with the bottom portion of the sample container at the end thereof to hold the sample container. Is formed from. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the dead space D between the bottom of the sample container and the tip of the sampling nozzle can be eliminated, and even a very small amount of sample can be successfully extracted to the end without leaving it. In addition to the basic effects provided by the described configuration, the vertical movement of the sample container caused by the lowering of the sampling nozzle is performed more smoothly, and the collision load on the sampling nozzle is significantly reduced. This is because the effect of reducing the required sample amount to the minimum can be synergistically added, so that the intended problem can be achieved more effectively.

Further, according to the invention of claim 6, in the device for testing a sample such as blood, the device for supporting the sample container is provided in the sample container holder for holding the sample container except for the sleeve. And a compression coil spring which is fitted and inserted into the sample insertion hole so as to be freely inserted into and removed from the sample insertion hole, and which fits and holds the bottom portion of the sample container at its tip. The overall structure can be simplified,
This is because it can be provided at a lower price.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 7 show one embodiment of the present invention, and a description will be given based on an example in which a sample container supporting device of a sample test apparatus according to the present invention is employed in a whole blood blood cell immunoassay apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the whole blood blood cell immunoassay according to the present invention with a side panel removed. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing an entire configuration of the whole blood cell immunoassay. In these figures,
Reference numeral 1 denotes an apparatus case, on the front face 2 side of which a sample setting section 3 is formed so as to be depressed inward. The sample setting section 3 includes a sample container 5 containing a whole blood 4 as a sample.
The sample container holder 6 for setting the sample container is accommodated.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the sample container holder 6 has a plurality of insertion holes 6a (four in the illustrated example) having different diameters for holding the sample container 5. I have. Insertion hole 6a as appropriate according to the size of sample container 5
This is to allow the user to select As shown in FIG. 7, the sample container holder 6 is held rotatably about a vertical axis P passing through the center of the bottom. Furthermore,
It is also swingably held about the center of a horizontal axis (not shown). The sample container holder 6 is pulled out from the inside of the sample setting section 5 while being inclined toward the near side, and furthermore, by rotating the sample container holder 6 about the vertical axis P, the necessary insertion hole 6a is positioned at the near side. . This is because the sample container 5 can be easily inserted into and removed from the insertion hole 6a.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, below the side portion 7 of the apparatus case 1, an immunoassay section 8 for performing an immunoassay and a blood cell measurement are performed in order from the side closer to the front section 2. The blood cell counting / measuring unit 9 is arranged in a straight line when viewed from the front side. Below the blood cell counting and measuring section 9, an electromagnetic valve section 10 including a plurality of electromagnetic valves 10a is provided. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a probe unit 11 that moves linearly between the sample setting unit 5 and the blood cell counting / measuring unit 9 is provided above the side surface unit 7. .

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 12 denotes a dispenser, 13
Is a diluent container, 14 is a hemolysis reagent container, 15 is a pump, and all of these 13 to 15 are connected to the electromagnetic valve unit 10. Reference numeral 16 denotes a waste liquid container connected to the pump 15.

In the present embodiment, the immunoassay section 8 is configured to measure CRP (C-reactive protein which is an acute phase protein). That is, FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 3, a reagent receiving cell 17 formed for measuring CRP, a light irradiation unit 17a and a light detection unit 17
and a flow metering cell 17A provided in series with the reagent receiving cell 17 via a flow metering cell channel 17c. The liquid contained in the reagent receiving cell 17 can be appropriately stirred. 18, 19 and 20 are CRP
The containers containing the reagents used for the measurement are respectively a hemolysis reagent (hereinafter referred to as R1 reagent) and a buffer solution (hereinafter referred to as R2
Reagent) and an anti-human CRP-sensitized latex immunoreagent (hereinafter referred to as R3 reagent).

The reagent receiving cell 17 and the reagent containers 18 to 20 are, as shown in FIGS.
It is arranged in a straight line with respect to the setting position of the sample container 5 in the sample setting section 5. The reagent receiving cell 17 and the reagent containers 18 to 20 are configured to be opened and closed collectively by a lid 22 that swings up and down by operation of a solenoid 21. Reference numeral 23 denotes a cooler box as an example of a reagent container holder provided with an electronic cooler 24 made of, for example, a Peltier element. In the illustrated example, reagents R2 and R3 are stored.

Next, in this embodiment, the blood cell counting / measuring unit 9 uses the electric resistance method to measure WBC (white blood cell count), RBC (red blood cell count), PLT (platelet count), MC
It is configured to measure V (red blood cell volume), Hct (hematcrit value), and Hgb (hemoglobin concentration) by an absorption spectrophotometric method in the cyanmethemoglobin method. That is, in FIG.
Is a WBC / Hgb blood cell count measurement cell (hereinafter simply referred to as WBC
Measurement electrode 25 for measuring WBC
Light irradiation unit 25 for measuring a, 25b and Hgb
c, and a light receiving unit 25d. 26 is RBC / PLT
With a blood cell count measurement cell (hereinafter simply referred to as RBC cell),
Measurement electrodes 26a, 26 for RBC and PLT measurement
b. These cells 25 and 26 are the reagent receiving cell 17 and the reagent containers 18 to 2 in the CRP measuring section 8.
It is arranged so as to be in line with 0. In addition, WBC
The cell 25 also serves as a waste liquid chamber for cleaning the nozzle 33 (described later).

Further, the probe unit 11 is configured as follows, for example. That is, FIGS.
In the figure, reference numeral 27 denotes a nozzle unit, which is configured to reciprocate in a horizontal direction by a timing belt 29 provided in a horizontal direction along a base member 28 which is provided upright. ing. Reference numeral 30 denotes a motor for driving the timing belt 29, and reference numeral 31 denotes a pair of guide members for guiding a guided member 32 provided in the nozzle unit 27, and these are attached to the base member 28 via appropriate members. ing.

Reference numeral 33 denotes a sampling nozzle, which is attached to a nozzle holder 35 which moves vertically in the nozzle unit 27 by a timing belt 34 as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 7. I have. The distal end 33a side (lower end side) of the sampling nozzle 33 is configured to penetrate a nozzle washer 36 provided in the nozzle unit 27 so that the outer periphery of the distal end portion is cleaned.
Reference numeral 37 denotes a motor for driving the timing belt 34. A sensor 38 detects whether or not the sampling nozzle 33 is at the home position (fixed position).

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 39 denotes a control / arithmetic device which comprehensively controls each part of the device and performs various arithmetic operations using outputs from the CRP measuring part 8 and the blood cell counting measuring part 9. As a microcomputer (MPU). Reference numeral 40 denotes a driver that sends a drive signal to the solenoid valve unit 10, the motors 30 and 37 of the probe unit unit 11, and the like based on a command from the MPU 39. Reference numeral 41 denotes a signal processing unit that processes output signals from the CRP measurement unit 8 and the blood cell count measurement unit 9 and sends the processed signals to the MPU 39. In addition, the MPU
Although not shown, a device 39 for displaying a result obtained by processing here is connected to, for example, a color display and a printer as an output device.

In FIG. 3, the dotted lines indicate the flow of the specimen 4 and various reagents. A slightly thick dashed line indicates a control signal. Further, the thin dashed line indicates the signal flow obtained by the measurement.

As shown in FIG. 7, a liquid dispenser 17e is connected to an outlet side flow path 17d of the flow photometering cell 17A through a three-way switching valve (electromagnetic valve) 10b. ing. The terminal of the outlet side flow path 17d is shown in FIG.
Is connected to the waste liquid container 16 via the pump 15.

Further, the sample container 5, the diluent container 13,
Hemolysis reagent container 14, reagent receiving cell 17, flow photometric cell 17A, flow photometric cell channel 17c, outlet channel 17
For d, the reagent containers 18 to 20, the sampling nozzle 33, and the like, a material having at least excellent chemical resistance such as glass, tetrafluoroethylene resin, or stainless steel is used. Further, a material having heat resistance is more desirable.

Reference numeral 42 in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5 denotes a reagent holder for holding the reagent container 18 for containing the hemolysis reagent (R1 reagent).

In the whole blood cell immunoassay apparatus configured as described above, the supporting device for the sample container 5 is configured as follows. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, 5, and 7, a sleeve 43 having a donut-shaped cross section and having a smooth inner peripheral surface is provided in the insertion hole 6 a formed in the sample container holder 6. Are inserted so as to be freely inserted and removed. The sleeve 43 has a slightly smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the insertion hole 6a and a length in the axial direction slightly longer than that of the insertion hole 6a, and the upper end 43A has a rim 6b of the insertion hole 6a. It is configured to protrude upward.

In this sleeve 43, the sleeve 4
3 having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter, and
A compression coil spring 44 having a length of about 5/6 of the entire length of the compression coil spring 44 is detachably mounted. The bottom portion of the sample container 5 is inserted into the upper end portion of the compression coil spring so as to be able to be inserted and removed so that the upper portion of the sample container 5 is always slightly higher than the upper edge of the sleeve 43 even when the sample 4 is stored. It is elastically supported so as to protrude upward.

The relative relationship between the elastic repulsive force of the compression coil spring 44 and the amount of the sample container 5 projecting upward from the sleeve 43 is such that the sampling nozzle 33 is inserted into the sample container 5, Even when the tip 33a comes into contact with the bottom of the sample container 5 and further descends, finally, the flange 5A integrally formed on the rim of the sample container 5 comes into contact with the upper edge of the sleeve 43. It is adjusted within the range that does not apply.

Next, the operation of the whole blood cell immunoassay will be described. First, the measurement key S shown in FIG. 2 (the opening / closing door of the sample setting section 3 has a switch function, which is turned on when the door is closed, and turned off when opened.
Activated. ) Is turned on, the sampling nozzle 33 at the fixed position moves to the position of the R2 reagent (reagent container 19) and sucks the R2 reagent. After the suction of the reagent, the sampling nozzle 33 moves to the position of the WBC cell 25, and a diluting liquid as a cleaning liquid is supplied to the sampling nozzle cleaning device 36, so that the outer surface of the sampling nozzle 33 is cleaned. Thereafter, the sampling nozzle 33 returns to the position of the R2 reagent.

Next, the sampling nozzle 33 sets R1
Move to the position of the reagent (reagent container 18) and aspirate the R1 reagent. After the suction of the reagent, the sampling nozzle 33
After moving to the position of the BC cell 25, the diluent is supplied to the sampling nozzle cleaning device 36, and the outer surface of the sampling nozzle 33 is cleaned. Thereafter, the sampling nozzle 33 returns to the position of the R1 reagent.

Then, the sampling nozzle 33 moves to the sample setting position (sample container 5), and aspirates the sample (whole blood) 3 in the sample container 5 for CRP measurement. After the sample aspiration, the sampling nozzle 33 moves to the position of the WBC cell 25, and the diluent is supplied to the sampling nozzle washer 35, whereby the outer surface of the sampling nozzle 33 is washed. Thereafter, the sampling nozzle 33 returns to the position of the sample.

Then, the sampling nozzle 33 moves to the position of the reagent receiving cell 17 and discharges the sample 4, the R1 reagent and the R2 reagent into the reagent receiving cell 17.

Then, the sampling nozzle 33 which has completed the discharge moves to the position of the WBC cell 25 and discharges the remaining sample 4 and the like into the WBC cell 25, and the inside and outside thereof are washed with a diluting liquid. You.

The sampling nozzle 3 after the cleaning is completed
3 moves to the sample setting position (sample container 5), and aspirates the sample 4 in the sample container 5 for CBC measurement. After this sample aspiration, the sampling nozzle 33 is moved to the WBC cell 25.
Then, the diluting liquid is supplied to the sampling nozzle cleaning device 36, and the outer surface of the sampling nozzle 33 is cleaned.

The sampling nozzle 3 after the cleaning is completed
3 discharges the specimen 4 into the WBC cell 25, while the diluent in the diluent container 13 is supplied to the WBC cell 25 via the electromagnetic valve 10.
A predetermined amount is injected into the cell 25, and the primary dilution of the CBC sample is performed.

The sampling nozzle 33 at the position of the WBC cell 25 aspirates a predetermined amount of the primary diluted CBC sample. Subsequently, it moves to the RBC cell 26 and discharges the sucked primary diluted CBC sample into this cell 26. At the same time, the diluent in the diluent container 13
A predetermined amount is injected into the RBC cell 26 via the electromagnetic valve section 10, and secondary dilution of the CBC sample is performed.

After the primary dilution and the secondary dilution have been completed, the hemolytic agent in the hemolytic agent container 14
A predetermined amount is injected into the BC cell 25, and WBC and Hgb are measured. On the other hand, in the RBC cell 26, RBC and P
LT is measured, and the data at that time is stored in the signal processing unit 4.
Through 1, it is taken into the MPU 39.

When the measurement is completed, the WBC cell 25 and R
The BC cell 26 is washed with a diluent.

As described above, during the period in which the CBC measurement is being performed in the blood cell counting / measuring unit 9 (about 60 seconds),
In the reagent receiving cell 17, the specimen 4, R1 reagent, R2
Hemolysis reaction proceeds between the reagents, and at the same time, interfering substances are removed.

When the CBC measurement is completed, the sampling nozzle 33 located at the position of the RBC cell 26 moves to the position of the R3 reagent (reagent container 20) and sucks the R3 reagent. After the suction of the reagent, the sampling nozzle 33 moves to the position of the reagent receiving cell 17 and discharges the R3 reagent into the reagent receiving cell 17. As a result, the R3 reagent is mixed into the reaction solution of the sample 4, the R1 reagent, and the R2 reagent.

Then, the liquid is sufficiently stirred in the reagent receiving cell 17, an immune reaction occurs, and CRP measurement is performed. The data at that time is transmitted to the MPU via the signal processing unit 41.
It is taken into 39. When the measurement is completed, the reagent receiving cell 17 is washed with the diluent, and all the measurements are completed.

The stirring of the R3 reagent, the specimen 4, the R1 reagent, and the R2 reagent is performed as follows. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the three-way switching valve (electromagnetic valve) 10b is
The dispenser 17e is operated so that the dispenser 17e and the flow metering cell 17A are connected to each other.

By the operation of the dispenser 17e, the air in the dispenser 17e moves in and out of the outlet side flow path 17d. As a result, the R3 reagent, the specimen 4, the R1 reagent, and the R2 reagent filled in the reagent receiving cell 17 flow between the reagent receiving cell 17, the flow photometric cell 17A, and the flow photometric cell flow path 17c connecting the two. To go. By repeating this operation several times, the liquid is sufficiently stirred.

The MPU 39 obtains measured values such as RBC (red blood cell count) and red blood cell volume (MCV) based on the data obtained by the CBC measurement performed by the blood cell counting / measuring section 9. Further, in the MPU 39, based on the data obtained by the CRP measurement performed in the CRP measurement unit 8, the change in absorbance per predetermined time is obtained from a calibration curve obtained in advance from serum (or plasma) of a known concentration. The CRP concentration in whole blood is obtained.

In this case, for CRP measurement, CBC
Similarly to the measurement, since the whole blood to which the anticoagulant is added is used as the specimen 4, it is necessary to correct a plasma component volume error caused by using the whole blood. Therefore, in this whole blood blood cell immunoassay apparatus, a hematocrit value (Hct) is obtained from RBC (red blood cell count) and red blood cell volume (MCV) obtained by CBC measurement, and the total hematocrit obtained by CRP measurement is obtained using this hematocrit value. CRP in the blood
The concentration was corrected by the following correction formula, and the CRP in plasma
Find the concentration.

That is, the CRP concentration in whole blood is defined as A,
When the hematocrit value is B, the CRP concentration in plasma C
Is determined by the following equation: C = A × 100 / (100−B)

Each measured value obtained by the MPU 39 is stored in, for example, a memory incorporated in the MPU 39, and is displayed on a display device (not shown) by item or output by a printer (not shown).

As described above, in this whole blood blood cell immunoassay apparatus, the blood cell measurement is performed in the CBC measurement unit 9 while the hemolysis and the interfering substance removal reaction are caused in the CRP measurement unit 8. Like that. Therefore, the total time of the CRP measurement and the CBC measurement can be reduced. In addition, the result obtained by the CRP measurement described above can be smoothly corrected by the result obtained by the CBC measurement.

The sample container 5 inserted and held in the insertion hole 6a lowers the sampling nozzle 33,
Even if it comes into contact with the bottom of the sample container 5, or if it comes to a situation in which it is further lowered a little more, the contact impact will cause the compression spring 44 to resist the elastic repulsive force. As a result, the sampling nozzle 33 is no longer applied with a contact load.

As described above, even if the sampling nozzle 33 is brought into contact with the bottom of the sample container 5, no contact load is applied to the sampling nozzle 33, so that the sample can be extracted in that state, and the conventional apparatus can be used. The dead space D as shown in FIG. As a result, the required amount of the specimen 4 can be reduced to a minimum.

Further, in the present invention, another means can be adopted as shown in FIG.

This means is achieved by holding the sample container 5 directly on the sleeve 43 as shown in the figure.
An object is to obtain a simpler structure without paying attention to the adjustment of the amount of protrusion of the sample container 5 from the insertion hole 6a.

Specifically, unlike the structure shown in FIG. 1, the length of the sleeve 43 is formed to be about half the length of the insertion hole 6a. It is configured to be supported. The flange 5a at the edge of the sample container 5 is connected to the sleeve 43.
At the upper end 43A.

As described above, the sample container 5 is fitted and supported directly on the sleeve 43, and the sleeve 43 is elastically supported by the compression coil spring 44 in the insertion hole 6a. And the sample container 5 are integrated. Therefore, as compared with the structure in which the sample container 5 is directly supported by the compression coil spring 44 shown in FIG.
It is not necessary to determine the relative protrusion amount and the elastic repulsion force of the compression coil spring 44, which are required with relatively high accuracy with respect to the sample container 5, and the structure and design are much simpler. It can be provided at a lower price.

The sleeve 43 may have the structure shown in FIG. 1 or the structure shown in FIG. A material excellent in at least chemical resistance such as stainless steel is used. Further, a material having heat resistance is more desirable. Furthermore, the compression coil spring 44 does not need to be made of metal, but may be made of synthetic resin. It is more convenient if the material is excellent in chemical resistance.

Further, although not shown, the sample container support device of the present invention may employ a configuration excluding the sleeve 43 as necessary. That is, the insertion hole 6a and the compression coil spring 4 that is inserted into and removed from the insertion hole 6a.
4 and the sample container 5 in which the bottom is fitted and inserted into the compression coil spring 44 so as to be freely inserted and removed. This is because the entire structure can be simplified and provided at a lower cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an example of an embodiment of a whole blood blood cell immunoassay apparatus employing a sample container support device of a sample test apparatus according to the present invention, and shows an elastic support state of a sample container in a partially enlarged manner. FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a partially cut-away main part.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the whole blood cell immunoassay with the side panel removed.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view schematically showing an entire configuration of the whole blood cell immunoassay.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a main part of the whole blood blood cell immunoassay,
FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view illustrating an arrangement relationship among a sample setting unit, an immunoassay unit, and a blood cell measurement unit.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of a main part of the whole blood blood cell immunoassay apparatus,
FIG. 4 is a schematic side view illustrating an arrangement relationship among a sample setting unit, an immunoassay unit, a blood cell measurement unit, and a sampling nozzle.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a main part of the whole blood cell immunoassay,
FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of a main part of the whole blood cell immunoassay,
FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating an arrangement relationship among a sample setting unit, an immunoassay unit, a blood cell measurement unit, and a sampling nozzle.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a main part of the whole blood cell immunoassay,
It is an expanded sectional view showing another embodiment of a sample container support device.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional explanatory view of a main part showing a conventional configuration.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference numeral 4: sample, 5: sample container, 5A: flange, 6: sample container holder, 6a: insertion hole, 33: sampling nozzle, 33a: tip, 43: sleeve, 43A: upper end of sleeve, 44: elastic support means (Compression coil spring).

Claims (6)

[Claims] In an apparatus for testing a sample such as blood, a sample container is held by a sample container holder via elastic holding means along a direction in which a sampling nozzle is inserted into and removed from the sample container. A sample container support device for a sample test device, comprising: The elastic holding means is made of a compression coil spring, an elastic material of synthetic resin material, or rubber, which is inserted into and removed from a sample container insertion hole formed in the sample container holder. A sample container support device for a sample test device according to claim 1. 3. The sample container supporting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a cylindrical sleeve is fitted and inserted into the sample container insertion hole so as to be freely inserted and removed. 4. An elastic holding means, comprising: a compression coil spring, an elastic material made of a synthetic resin material, or rubber, which is removably loaded into a sample container insertion hole formed in the sample container holder; 2. The sample container supporting device according to claim 1, wherein the sample container supporting device is formed of a cylindrical body elastically held by the elastic material and having an inner diameter sufficient to insert and remove the sample container. 5. An apparatus for testing a sample such as blood, wherein a supporting device for a sample container comprises: a sample container insertion hole formed in a sample container holder for holding the sample container;
A cylindrical sleeve inserted and inserted into the sample insertion hole so as to be able to be inserted and removed, and a compression coil inserted and inserted into the sleeve so as to be able to be inserted and extracted, and fitted at the bottom of the sample container to hold the sample container; A sample container support device for a sample test device, comprising: a spring; 6. An apparatus for testing a sample such as blood, wherein a sample container support device includes a sample container insertion hole formed in a sample container holder for holding a sample container,
And a compression coil spring which is fitted and inserted into the sample insertion hole so as to be freely inserted and withdrawn, and which is fitted with a bottom portion of the sample container at its tip and holds the sample container. Container support device.